From CHARLES ONYEKWERE
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has clarified that the people of Uromi are from Esan tribe in Edo State and have no link with the lgbos.
The clarification came on the heels of the tragic mob killing of 16 northern travelers in Edo State.
In a statement yesterday by its factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organisation called on northern governors, religious leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto and other northern traditional rulers to note that Uromi, located in Esan North Local Government of Edo State, is neither part of lgboland nor associated with lgbo people.
Ohanaeze stated that citizens of Uromi predominantly belong to the Esan ethnic group and should not be misidentified as Igbo.
“We sternly condemn the gruesome killing of innocent northern travelers, expressing our heartfelt sorrow for the families affected by this violence.
“However, we resolutely admonish that linking the Igbos to the Uromi mob killing is not only misleading, but also poses a grave threat to harmony and mutual respect among our diverse communities.
“In the light of these events, Ohanaeze Ndigbo vehemently warns against any potential reprisals aimed at Igbo individuals or communities residing in the northern region.
“We stand in solidarity with northern leaders and the grieving families of the victims, mourning their loss with sincerity and compassion. It is crucial that we collectively condemn violence in all its forms, irrespective of the ethnic identities involved,” the statement said.
It urged the public to refrain from implicating the Igbos in the unfortunate tragedy, as such actions deepen divisive narratives and sow discord among our people.
